Playing fair

I have no interest whatsoever in attempting cryptic crosswords, but for the first time ever, I have actually paid attention to an explanation of how they work. Why, you ask? The lamentable truth: because the examples come through the medium of this reader contest in the Guardian’s crossword column: Reader, how would you clue HAVE HIS CARCASE? (See comments. Summed up here.)

My feelings about the weather are best summed up by BtVS’s vamp!Willow, “Bored now.”